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Raceway Opens New Administration Building

KATHY WATERS/HIGHLANDS TODAY

The two-story Sebring International Raceway administration building is 10,000 square feet and has 32 offices.

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By MANDY SHEETS | Highlands Today

Published: January 9, 2008

SEBRING — Race fans and sponsors will be wowed when they attend the 56th annual Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring — a new building will welcome them to the Sebring International Raceway.

Tres Stephenson, Sebring International Raceway president and general manager, said the 10,000 square-foot administration building provides a new front door for the facility.

"In today's business world, having a professional building can make all the difference," Stephenson said. "I think this project really shows our sponsors we are thinking about the long term, and we are serious about our commitment to Sebring."

The two-story building combines registration, gift shop and offices, which were previously in three separate modular units. A large fan, made to look like a car spoiler, twirls over the lobby where Audi's winning race car from 2000 also is displayed.

"This makes us more fan friendly because our fans can hit one stop for all their needs," Stephenson said. "This building will be a surprise to our race fans because we didn't decide to start the project until the summer, so everything they see will be brand new."

Michelle DeLaney, director of marketing for Sebring International Raceway, said the state-of-the-art conference room with a big-screen television is a great space to meet with sponsors.

"This building makes a good first impression, especially when a sponsor comes in who wants to spend money on the race," DeLaney said.

Vivian McIntyre, receptionist at Sebring International Raceway, said when she started at the raceway 18 years ago, she worked in a single-wide trailer, which was later upgraded to a double-wide trailer.

"I never thought we would have anything this nice," McIntyre said, as she sat at her granite desk in the office's atrium. "What's not to like about this beautiful building?"

The nine full-time employees previously shared the double-wide trailer and now they all have their own offices. The building has 32 offices and ancillary areas.

Rick Hayes, owner of Orangewood Builders Inc., said his company finished the interior of the building early and under budget.

"The building came out great, and I think that's partially because we worked so well with the staff here to make sure it turned out how they wanted it," Hayes said.

Stephenson said the building also gives the raceway space for growth and expansion. After finishing touches on the building are complete, a parking lot will be added in the rear of the building.

Stephenson said the staff is gearing up for the March 15 race — finalizing sponsors, selling tickets, purchasing advertisements and promoting the event.

The raceway stays busy throughout the year with automotive testing, private club events, racing schools and other activities.

"A lot of people don't realize we are busy all year," McIntyre said. "Some people think we sit out here and twiddle our thumbs until March, but we stay plenty busy."

The gift shop, located in the new building, is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday.

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